Office of the City Manager

PASADENA, Calif.—Pasadena will be bustling this holiday season with a variety of free events to welcome shoppers to the downtown area.The events will charm families, couples, youngsters and the young-at-heart with everything from horse and carriage rides and snow days to “Ugly Christmas Sweater” photo booths and scavenger hunts with an iPad Air as the Grand Prize!

The fun begins at 4 p.m., Friday, November 29, in Old Pasadena where a free, family-friendly holiday on Holly Street, between Raymond and Fair Oaks avenues will be transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” with 20 tons of snow.It’s the perfect place to romp and enjoy sing-a-longs before heading over to One Colorado’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. and Santa’s arrival.

The following day, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:0-0 p.m., Saturday, November 30, the Playhouse District will host the “Shop Indie!” event, a localized effort to support independent businesses in the Playhouse District.Neighborhood businesses will offer discounts, holiday treats, acoustic musical performances and a “Shop Indie!” scavenger hunt where participants have a chance to win an iPad Air.

Join Mayor Bill Bogaard for the Mayor’s Official Holiday Tree Lighting at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, December 5, at historic City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., where Santa promises to arrive with a little help from his friends at the Pasadena Fire Department right after the Mayor lights the tree.Light refreshments will be available along with lots of free entertainment and possible snow flurries!

Rounding out the downtown holiday celebrations is “Holiday Cheer on South Lake Avenue” with festivities scheduled from Noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7.The South Lake Avenue District will overflow with holiday cheer when Santa, joined by carolers and toy soldiers on stilts, and horse-drawn carriages will take over the district.Dozens of stores throughout the avenue will offer in-store promotions, discounts and activities.

The City and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, www.pasadena-chamber.org, reminds all residents, workers and visitors to “Grow Your Community, Shop Pasadena” this holiday season and all year in 2014.Keep it local to support the local economy.

The City of Pasadena Economic Development Office is part of the City Manager’s Office and is committed to ensuring a vibrant and diverse local economy that creates jobs, enhances quality shopping, entertainment and dining experiences, cultivates new business opportunities and fosters innovation.